When a client comes to me for a fitting, one of the first things I do is to assess their current equipment. I am continually amazed at the number of 'senior' players that are still carrying lower lofted drivers, 3 woods, and long irons, and in some cases even mid-irons. I thought perhaps it would be informative to give some general information that might help some that can't make it in for a fitting. We are going to address just what clubs should or shouldn't be in your bag.
First, a little background on ball flight and distance. A key to achieving distance is to start the ball on the correct launch angle. Several factors go into this but a couple of the primary factors are club head speed and loft of the club. As our club head speed declines, loft becomes our friend and needs to increase. I see way too many people playing drivers with too low a loft and shafts that are too stiff (and long)!
The ability to hit a fairway wood off the deck well depends a large part on the club head speed we generate because this is what propels the ball into the air. The same thing is true with long irons. As your club head speed decreases, it becomes more difficult to launch long irons consistently and you'll even start to notice that you hit them all about the same distance anyway.
At some point we also have to swallow our ego and decide if better golf is our goal or is it more important to keep our ego intact? As we get older and our club head speed slows down we have to adapt and get the proper shafts to fit our swings. Heck, I play a nice pink UST Pro Force Lady shaft and love it. (Just a note here, that shaft is tighter than some A flex and some R flex shafts, but the point is, you have to get the correct shaft for your swing and that's the job of a fitter.)
So, the items below are some generalizations intended to get you to think and question. They are not intended to be 'laws' that you have to follow:
#1. If your driver distance is 200 yards or less and you are playing a loft lower than 13* to 14* you need to change.
#2. If your driver distance is 200 or less and your shaft is anything other than a senior, you need to change.
#3. If your driver distance is less than 200 yards and you still carry a 3 wood, take it out. It is a 50/50 club at best. (You have a 50% chance of hitting it bad as good.) Replace it with a 5 wood.
#4. If your driver distance is less than 230 yards and more than 200 yards and you play a loft below 10* and a shaft that is stiff, it's time to change.
#5. If your driver distance is less than 230 yards and more than 200 yards and you still carry a 3 wood, it's getting time to start thinking about perhaps replacing it with a 5 wood.
#6. While I'm at it, let's throw in golf balls too. If you're in any of the above categories and play the TOUR balls, you're wasting money. You need a soft cover/soft core ball.
#7. If you hit a 7 iron, with a full swing, 130 yards or less, you need to take out your 3, 4, 5, and 6 irons and replace them with hybrids. You'll increase your yardage exponentially and wonder why you didn't do it sooner.
#8. If you hit your 7 iron 140 or less and have stiff shafts, it's time to change them.
#9. If you can't tell a significant difference in yardage between your long and mid irons, it's time to go to hybrids.
#10. If you're having trouble getting any club airborne and hitting it consistently, you probably don't need it in the bag and should replace it, or at least have it looked at by a fitter and see if it's you, the shaft, or what.
As mentioned, these are some generalities but they are based in part on experience with lots of fittings. You'd be amazed how much your game can improve simply by having the right set make up and the right shafts for you. It's much easier to play when the equipment is working for you and not against you. Keep on swingin'!
J. Lynn Griffin
Master Fitter/Builder, PPGS Certified Instructor.